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Lincoln elected president
Though winning in the electoral college, Lincoln's lack of a popular majority (1.9 million out of 4.7 million votes cast) is an indication of the problems he would face with a divided nation -
South Carolina secedes
On news of Lincoln's election, South Carolina (site of nullification fight in 1830s) secedes -
Ft. Sumter attacked
Lincoln decides to supply Ft. Sumter, but wants the South to fire the first shot. -
Lincoln inaugurated
Lincoln enters Washington D.C. in disguise because of unrest. Southerners begin seizing federal posts. -
Bull Run (Manassas), 1st battle
Gen. McDowell leads 30,000 men against Gen. Johnston's 22,000 Southern troops in an attempt to crush the rebels and go "On to Richmond." South scores victory as Union troops flee back to Washington in disarray. McDowell replaced by Gen. McClellan -
Ft. Henry & Ft. Donelson
Gen. Grant captures two forts on the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. Confederates forced out of Kentucky and yield much of Tennessee -
New Orleans
Farragut seizes New Orleans for Union after boldly attacking Southern position. 11 Southern ships sunk -
Antietam
Heavily outnumbered, Lee's troops face McClellan in bloody fighting. Over 23,000 casualties (more than all previous American wars combined). Lee retreats to Virginia -
Emancipation Proclamation
With victory at Antietam, Lincoln announces that on 1/1/63, all slaves in the rebelling states would be free. -
Gettysburg
Over 165,000 soldiers participate in the largest battle in the Western Hemisphere. -
Chancellorsville
Gen. Hooker defeated by Lee, but Jackson is mistakenly shot by his own men and killed. -
Grant promoted to Lt. General and given command of all Union troops
Grant prepares for assault on Richmond. When Lincoln's Cabinet complains that Grant is a drunk and seeks to interfere with his command, Lincoln gives him unconditional support and asks not to be notified of his plans. -
Wilderness & Spotsylvania
Lee stops Union troops at the Wilderness, but Grant resumes march to RichmondThough suffering huge losses (55,000 men to South's 31,000), Grant states "I propose to fight on this line if it takes all summer" -
Atlanta to Savannah
Railroads torn up, buildings destroyed, crops burned in an attempt to break the will of the South -
Lee surrenders
Lee, refusing to see his troops suffer any further, surrenders to Grant. Southern troops given generous terms of surrender
